Jennifer Lopez is back in front of cameras for her new action film “The Mother,” currently streaming on Netflix, but it’s far from the first time she’s turned heads on the big screen. After breaking out in “Selena” and “Out of Sight,” Lopez became a go-to for romantic comedy leading roles, turning in a bevy of memorable performances. Below, we revisit a handful of Lopez’s most memorable romantic comedy performances from “The Wedding Planner” all the way up to 2023’s “Shotgun Wedding.”
“The Wedding Planner” (2001)
In this classic rom-com, Lopez stars as successful wedding planner Mary Fiore, who is as professional as they come until she meets Steve Edison (Matthew McConaughey). Edison saves her from a stuck heel accident waiting to happen, and she gets to know him after her recovery in the hospital. Romantic entanglement ensues when she discovers he is already engaged, and that his fiancée (Bridgette Wilson-Sampras) wants her to plan their wedding.
“Maid in Manhattan” (2002)
A Senatorial candidate (Ralph Fiennes) takes notice of Marisa Ventura (Lopez), a maid at the hotel in which he is staying, when she tries on a wealthy woman’s dress for fun. She tries to keep up the ruse to strike up a relationship.
“Monster-In-Law” (2005)
In this rom-com, Lopez’s character Charlie is up against a monstrous mother-in-law (Jane Fonda) when she finally meets the man of her dreams Kevin Fields (Michael Vartan).
“The Back-Up Plan” (2010)
Zoe (Jennifer Lopez) has everything under control in terms of her plan to have kids, until she meets Stan (Alex O’Loughlin) when they enter the same taxi cab from different sides. Right before she meets Stan, Zoe chooses to undergo artificial insemination because she doesn’t think she will meet the right person in time. The new couple then has to navigate her pregnancy and the beginnings of a relationship at the same time.
“Marry Me” (2022)
“Marry Me” finds J.Lo starring alongside Owen Wilson and Maluma. She portrays a superstar who plans to wed her boyfriend Bastian (Maluma) onstage in front of a worldwide audience, but then she finds out he’s cheating on her, and she totally redirects her life, deciding to marry a random schoolteacher in the audience on the spot.
“Shotgun Wedding” (2023)
A mix of romantic comedy and action, “Shotgun Wedding” stars Jennifer Lopez alongside Josh Duhamel. The couple have a destination wedding on an island, but pirates invade their celebration and make it an interesting ceremony to say the least.
